Gourmet – Fabulously Green

Category archives: Gourmet

LIFE.STYLED | Fabulous Shopping Gear

28Jun07

Do you know long does it take for a bag to decompose? According to an article by Slate, scientists wager it may take anywhere from 500 to 1,000 years. But since plastic grocery bags have only been around for 50 years, it’s anyone’s guess. They are the “mystery meat” of the landfill. All that plastic–not so fantastic.

But I bring good news: one of my favorite shop-n-carry bags has come to the states. Aussie company Envirosax has finally opened an online store for the US market.

The Monochromatic Series is a solid option for guys or gals. No blaring store logos. Plus, each bag allegedly carries up to two standard bags of groceries (will report back after I test them). They come with their own compact pouch for storage in your glove compartment–an important feature for the absent-minded folks like me. Five bags in all for $35. They can also be bought separately.

For more posh shopping bag options, check out this earlier post.

Filed under Bags, Gourmet, Lifestyle Tips| Tagged Envirosax, Reusable, shopping bags | No Comments

Sunday's "It" Store: Zanisa

06May07

Zanisa is an online boutique well-stocked with green and gorgeous gifts for him, her, baby–even for your pet. Founder Susan Lawrence launched Zanisa as “a labor of love” and it shows. A beautifully drawn symbol legend helps shoppers understand the degree of “green” characteristics in each product. There’s a broad range of green style gifts to suit economical and extravagant budgets.

Who: Zanisa, a derivative Shona word meaning “to restore harmony and be in balance”
What: Online, one-stop source for high style, socially conscious gifts presented in drop-dead-gorgeous packages.
Best Bets:
Luxurious, handmade, organic soaps and spa kits
Restyled wallets, bags, totes
Organic, fair trade chocolates
Green gifts under $25

Extra: Catch the stories of artists/designers behind the goods in the Profiles section.

Know Before You Go: If you want to search products by green category (i.e. see what is “fair trade” or “recyclable”) you need to rollover the “Show” button to pop up the menu. Zanisa also stocks some “handmade only” items so not everything on the site is considered “green.”

FAB GREEN PICKS

Bottlecap Bracelet by Laura Beamer, $159
Made from recycled Oopp juice bottle caps

Chocolate Wafers, Kathy Moskai, $15
Organic, fair trade chocolate from sustainably grown and harvested beans in the Ecuadoran rainforest. Topped with crushed espresso, pink peppercorns, or chipotle-roasted organic pumpkin seeds. A daring delight!

Filed under Budget Decor, Gadgets, Gifts+Gifting, Gourmet, Lifestyle Tips, Sales+Shopping, Skincare+Beauty| Tagged Eco-friendly, Laura Beamer, Organic, Unique Gifts, Vere Chocolate, zanisa | No Comments

Designers' Challenge: SIGG Art

30Apr07

sigg_bottles
Remember these? We’ve declared our love for SIGG last September for these sleek, customizable bottles designed for style-conscious, earth-friendly people on-the-go. With over 144 designs to select from, coffee lovers everywhere could find a fun, expressive alternative to the impersonal, disposable paper cup.

Now your chance to design your own SIGG has arrived. SIGG is calling all creatives to design a new bottle expressing your eco-values with style of course. The winner will receive 100 printed bottles to share with family and friends, limited edition bottles sold exclusively through Patagonia. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed to protecting our oceans and beaches.

If voting for the winner is more your thing you can rate the entries here. Submission deadline is June 1. For full contest details check out SIGG Art. Good luck!

Filed under Gourmet, Lifestyle Tips| Tagged Competitions+Contests, Eco-friendly, Non-toxic, Recyclable | No Comments

Fab DIY: Magnetic Spice Containers

07Mar07

Curbly has become my go-to site for inspiring DIY style projects for the home. Here’s one for gourmets looking to add some spice to your storage. Goodbye clunky, lazy Susan!

Amber of My Aim is True used watchmaker’s tins made from recyclable glass-topped aluminum. Some magnets and a hot glue gun and voila–sleek, easy-to-find spice containers you can store behind your stove top, refrigerator, or even on the wall if you have a magnetic strip…

Fab Green Tip: This idea makes for a great office organizer as well. Paper clips, rubber bands, magnets. You don’t need to be a foodie to have good looking storage for all those little things in life.

Thanks Amber!

Filed under Budget Decor, Gourmet, Multifunctional Design, Small Space Style| Tagged Recyclable, Reusable | No Comments

Fabulous Grocery Gear

19Feb07

“Paper or plastic?” That’s the proverbial question of our generation. I’ve run mental circles around it and have made attempts to bring-my-own-bag without much success. Perhaps it’s because it’s a “logo-ed” Whole Foods bag and I feel self-conscious taking it to Trader Joe’s. Or maybe because it’s a sturdier, unattractive plastic bag I have to remember to take out of the house with me.

Happily, some solutions for style-conscious eco-shoppers are now at hand:

Dottie, Lucy and Wilma shopping bags by b. happybags, $20
With over 15 designs in all, these upholstery-grade cotton bags are machine-washable, and sturdy enough to carry a load of bricks. A feel-good, do-good motivator for those lazy Sunday grocery trips. Made in the U.S.A.

Reusable Shopping Bags by Envirosax, $5.95 , via Haute*Nature

Each bag allegedly holds the equivalent of two supermarket bags worth of goods, and can be rolled away into a storage pouch when not in use.

Australia-based Envirosax uses solar hot water and veggie gardens, and participate in the promotion of teaching sustainability in schools.

Available online through Envirosax. Choose from the Floral Series of tropic-inspired prints, or from the Graphic Series to suit those with retro modern tastes.

Filed under Bags, Gourmet, Lifestyle Tips| Tagged Eco-friendly, Reusable | No Comments

A Giving Kind of Love this Valentine's Day

25Jan07

Looking for love this Valentine’s season? Here few fabulously green finds that bring some love and tenderness to your one-and-only, your gal pal and our planet.

LOVE NOTES
These handmade cards by GG2G inspire the “touchy-feelie” this Valentine’s Day. Each one-of-a-kind design is crafted using salvaged fabrics and samples, and printed on 75% hemp/25% post-consumer paper stock.

I love the love peas. We are like. Perfectly said.

BED OF ROSES
I’m not one to buy cut flowers (I prefer to give and receive potted plants and flowers). But if you or your loved one is bouquet-minded then Organic Bouquet is a great bet. Their Charitable Bouquets are certified-organic, and 5% of every purchase is donated to a paired charity. The roses shown above supports the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public, specifically parents and caregivers, about environmental toxins that affect children’s health. With 28 arrangements to choose from, you’ll likely find something that will bring style with a smile.

DECADENT DESSERTS

Custom cakes by Sarah Magid are lovingly made with organic ingredients and in-season, locally found fruits and herbs. I’m dying to taste the Chocolate Loveblossom (left) and the Flutter Away butterfly-inspired cakes (right). Via Oh Joy!

POPPING THE QUESTION…

The Canary Uncaged Engagement Ring by Green Karat is a sunny-colored stunner that is responsibly mined and crafted in a recycled gold setting. The karma believer in me just says no to blood diamonds, and yes to conflict-free, responsibly made engagement and wedding bands.

…JUST A PROMISE TO STICK TOGETHER

Magnetic Ring by Dynomighty, $20. Spotted at GreenerGrassDesign.

LOVING THE SKIN YOU’RE IN
Organic Body Polish by Trillium Organics, $13, spotted at BTC Elements
Pure wholesome goodness for skin. Paraben, fragrance, petroleum, synthetic, and cruelty free. Available in Pink Grapefruit, Cedar Sage, or Lavendar Geranium.

Euphoria Vegan Handmade Soap by YouStinkSoap, $3.25 on Etsy
Chunky all-natural bars blend jasmine, rose and sandlewood. Super-fatted with shea butter for extra moisturizing benefits. Tons of silky, creamy bubbles, sans chemicals. All lovingly made in Michigan.

Love to all of you this season,
Fab Green

Filed under Gifts+Gifting, Gourmet, Handmade, Jewelry, Refashion+Refurb, Wedding Style| Tagged Eco-friendly, Handmade, Organic | No Comments

Green Gifting.4 For the Body and Soul

08Dec06

Here are a few great gifts for those on your list who deserve a little extra pampering this holiday season. Maybe you too! All the products are made of organic goodness, to help you feel pampered inside and out. Enjoy!

London Lemon Curd Scroll Soap handmade by You Stink. Consider Sandra a soap artiste. She’s incredibly passionate about soapmaking, and her limited edition soaps are all vegan and full of creamy, sensuous ingredients. Or try some of other indelible delights like spicy Pumpkin Cheesecake with Shea Butter, Apple Orchard, Peppermint Stick or Hot Apple Pie. Perfect for the fall/winter season.

Petula Bath Gift Set available at Zanisa
Skip the wrapping paper and opt for a beautifully keepsake gift box filled with spa goodies. Two long-lasting, triple milled, all natural bars of Savon d’Amande soap made with fresh goat’s milk, natural honey, wild almonds and oats to gently cleanse and replenish the skin. For longer relaxing soaks there is an organza bag filled with almond bath salts designed to detoxify and soften the skin. Yum!

For your favorite guy: Cedarwood Bamboo Soap at Zanisa.
Bamboo charcoal apparently helps stimulate blood flow. Good for sensitive skin with a subtle cedarwood scent. Arrives nestled in a bamboo soap dish tied with raffia — packaging that doubles as a present.

Sweet Heat Chipotle Truffles available at Organic Bouquet.
The Aztecs were the first to combine chili and chocolate for a sweet heat they believed bestowed them with godlike wisdom. Each box contains six handmade chipotle chili truffles for a smoky warm and sweet sensation and six black pepper truffles for an earthy-peppery taste treat. It’s a gift with a kick for the chocolate connoisseur who likes it hot—spicy hot that is.

Gerbera Daisies Bouquet from Organic Bouquet
The Gerbera Daisy is a plant that cares. Why? They actually help to improve indoor air quality naturally. And this arrangement is organically grown to boot. Brings color and cheer during the grey snowy season.

Filed under Gifts+Gifting, Gourmet, Handmade, Skincare+Beauty| Tagged Eco-friendly, Handmade, Organic, Vegan | No Comments

A Little Alvar Aalto on Ice

07Aug06

A Finlandia vodka on the rocks would probably be incomplete without sculpted ice from this Alvar Aalto-inspired ice cube tray. Designed from a vase design Aalto created in 1937 for iittala, this ice cube tray is made from molded, sustainable rubber. Would Aalto be cold to the idea? iittala, whose company motto incidentally is “Against Throwawayism,” doesn’t think so.

Via MocoLoco

Filed under Gadgets, Gifts+Gifting, Gourmet, Lifestyle Tips, Unique| Tagged Alvar Aalto, Eco-friendly | No Comments

Gardens for Urban Dwellers

02Aug06

I’ve been thinking about planting an herb garden for my kitchen but as an apartment dweller face a severe lack of yard and space. Leave it to a Japanese design company to create diminuitive garden pieces that can fit anywhere. These Egg Plants by SMP feature sprigs of basil, mint, thyme, parsley, chamomile, lemon balm are as handsome as they are practical. Crack open the ceramic egg where you like, plant the seeds, water frequently, and watch these little babies grow. Available for $14 each at Branch.

Filed under Budget Decor, Gifts+Gifting, Gourmet, Lifestyle Tips| Tagged Eco-friendly, Tabletop | 1 Comment

Eco-Mod Coasters Make Great Hits

08Jul06

These groovy coasters from Vinylux put a cool spin on any house party, or work as a great housewarming gift for that certain music lover in your life. Made from recycled vintage records, an assorted set of six (for $20) comes packed in their own putaway case. Or grab those favorite 45s from seventh grade and have Vinylux produce your own set of “greatest hits.”

Here’s another take on urban eco-style: coasters crafted from salvaged street signs. Pressed, finished and sealed by hand, guests will park their libations on these colorful cats. Designed and made by artist Boris Bally. Sells $65 retail for a set of four.

Both are available online at Elsewares.

Filed under Budget Decor, Furnishings, Gifts+Gifting, Gourmet, Interior Design, Refashion+Refurb, Small Space Style, Unique, Urban Style, Vintage| Tagged coasters, Eco-friendly, Tabletop, Urban Style | No Comments

Fabulously Green